Namaskaara

We say Namaskarra to our Project Managers today and the buzz at field base gets even louder.

Welcome banners are up, garlands are draped round our necks and we greet the Project Managers with a hindu ritual called Aarthi. An aarthi plate is circulated (this is a metal bowl containing a flame, flowers and incense) a kumkum is then placed on our foreheads. You maybe more familiar with the term bindi and a kumkum  is a similar mark. It is made from saffron and is used as a sign of respect at a puja (a ceremony of gratitude or religious ritual).

Aarthi Plate

Garland Flowers

                                                                    

                                                 
                               Vijay welcoming Kevin with a garland

Vijay and Clive

Rita

Jo

Tom

(LtoR Helen James and Sophie)

Helen greeting Julia

James and Sophie

Kripa

Rosie

Jo greeting Sam

People glad to be reunited from the development weekend

( LtoR James Ben Dave Tom and Priya)

Rosie and Lucy

Sophie Julia Joanna  Kripa

                        (L to R Amanda Ben Anna Dave Vijay Tom Rita)

As well as learning a lot of new names today we also discuss Indian culture.

Eating in India - The Rules!
Etiquette for dining in India basically contradicts every rule that I was taught as a child growing up in the UK.

1. You get to eat with your hands (but only your right one)

2. You can sit on the floor

3. You don’t talk – Vijay tells us about his childhood and said that if he tried to ask questions whilst he was eating he was told to “concentrate on the food”. Sounds awesome to me!

Today’s Project Manager Interview is with Dave from Harrogate who is a virgin to Raleigh

1. Dave’s luxury item he brought with him is his MP3 player and his favourite album is by the Prodigy. He refused to sing to me as well.

2. He would trek with Ian McKellen as he considers that he is a fountain of knowledge or Billy Connolly

3. He would rather be bitten by the mosquitoes biting him on the face rather than have to deal with leeches or delhi belly whilst trekking.